No. 70: N. Dame OT Ryan Harris

The Denver Broncos concluded their first-day selections tonight by choosing Notre Dame offensive tackle Ryan Harris with the 70th overall selection in the third round of the NFL draft.

Impact analysis from The Sports Forecaster: “The recent loss of starter George Foster to Detroit made the drafting of a quality, game-ready lineman a priority for the Broncos. He is the type of gutsy, experienced, underrated player the Broncos seem to covet. While he may not quite be ready to start for Denver, Harris has the potential to become a leader on their line. The Broncos have a good overall appraoch with their line that stresses mobility and teamwork, and Harris is exceptional in both those areas.”
What do you think of this third-round selection?

Finally, some needed help on the offensive line. While I’m not an expert on any of the mid to lower round draft picks (I leave that to the nfl.com mock draft pundits), additional protection for Jay Cutler will be a plus.

Sue

Finally, some needed help on the offensive line. While I’m not an expert on any of the mid to lower round draft picks (I leave that to the nfl.com mock draft pundits), additional protection for Jay Cutler will be a plus.

Milehigh Gopher

Would have preferred DT at this pick, there are some large DT, Bates scheme DTs. It sounds like Harris has some motivation issues, difficult to correct. Especially condsidering he was a first round prospect a year ago. Was not motivated for the money at the first round pick? I like guys who want to play for free, just to play the game.

Milehigh Gopher

Would have preferred DT at this pick, there are some large DT, Bates scheme DTs. It sounds like Harris has some motivation issues, difficult to correct. Especially condsidering he was a first round prospect a year ago. Was not motivated for the money at the first round pick? I like guys who want to play for free, just to play the game.

Bob

Harris is an average OT with pretty good skills. Not at Nalen or Zimmerman’s level as a player and leader, but better than Foster.

Bob

Harris is an average OT with pretty good skills. Not at Nalen or Zimmerman’s level as a player and leader, but better than Foster.

Toney Hill

Good pick of an experienced LT starter for 3 years with Notre Dame. Harris has seen his share of battles. The only downside I see with him is his strength. He only benchpressed 225 lbs tewnty-two times. Lineman should be pressing 30 plus times. Trainer, we have a job for you.

Toney Hill

Good pick of an experienced LT starter for 3 years with Notre Dame. Harris has seen his share of battles. The only downside I see with him is his strength. He only benchpressed 225 lbs tewnty-two times. Lineman should be pressing 30 plus times. Trainer, we have a job for you.

north

De Marcus Tyler would have been a more immediate contributor…fits Bates style of defense. With Jacob Rodgers and Pears on board maybe Harris will play guard.

north

De Marcus Tyler would have been a more immediate contributor…fits Bates style of defense. With Jacob Rodgers and Pears on board maybe Harris will play guard.

Chris

Harris had an awful senior season, one of the worst players for the Irish this past year and looked even worse during offseason workouts, guy has no ability to play LT in the pros. Terrible pick when some DL (Mebane, Johnson) and several quality WRs were still on the board (hey, they had an interest in both Ginn and CJ, one would assume they were interested in a deep threat for Cutler.)

Very discouraging draft day, Broncos in likelihood did little to improve themselves in 2007.

Chris

Harris had an awful senior season, one of the worst players for the Irish this past year and looked even worse during offseason workouts, guy has no ability to play LT in the pros. Terrible pick when some DL (Mebane, Johnson) and several quality WRs were still on the board (hey, they had an interest in both Ginn and CJ, one would assume they were interested in a deep threat for Cutler.)

Very discouraging draft day, Broncos in likelihood did little to improve themselves in 2007.

Pharmboy

I don’t know much about this player and I doubt that those posting negative comments about do either. It seems that Denver has had the most success developing unheralded OL players that were 6th rounders or FAs. Was this guy in high demand?

WIth that said, I would have liked to see a them go for a KR/nickel back or a back-up running back.

Pharmboy

I don’t know much about this player and I doubt that those posting negative comments about do either. It seems that Denver has had the most success developing unheralded OL players that were 6th rounders or FAs. Was this guy in high demand?

WIth that said, I would have liked to see a them go for a KR/nickel back or a back-up running back.

Tom

Based on Saturdays picks. . . Looks good for the Broncos in ’07 with an improved pass rush, and in years to come on the other side of the line as Harris come on. Smart, solid choices.

Tom

Based on Saturdays picks. . . Looks good for the Broncos in ’07 with an improved pass rush, and in years to come on the other side of the line as Harris come on. Smart, solid choices.

Brendon

I love the home draft gurus who think Shanny and his merry men do such a bad job.

Regarding the 2 DE’s – this (along with safety) was our major area of need that free agency did not address.

As for OT Harris instead of a WR: “Deep threats” don’t matter if a pocket passer like Cutler is lying on his butt. I’ll take Shanahan picking OL every once in a while (with the exception of Foster) since his OL unifromly produces 1,500+ rushing yards a season and helped send a QB to Canton. Plus I think we are relatively good at WR right how (Javon is a good deep threat, and Marshall and HIxon aren’t so bad either).

CJ is in a class by himself, and they almost put us in a make-or-break Ricky Williams-like deal with the devil deal to get him. And Ginn’s value was as a returner since D-Will is gone.

Brendon

I love the home draft gurus who think Shanny and his merry men do such a bad job.

Regarding the 2 DE’s – this (along with safety) was our major area of need that free agency did not address.

As for OT Harris instead of a WR: “Deep threats” don’t matter if a pocket passer like Cutler is lying on his butt. I’ll take Shanahan picking OL every once in a while (with the exception of Foster) since his OL unifromly produces 1,500+ rushing yards a season and helped send a QB to Canton. Plus I think we are relatively good at WR right how (Javon is a good deep threat, and Marshall and HIxon aren’t so bad either).

CJ is in a class by himself, and they almost put us in a make-or-break Ricky Williams-like deal with the devil deal to get him. And Ginn’s value was as a returner since D-Will is gone.

Kiyo

Ryan will bring much needed depth to the O-Line and with his experience as a starter at Lt should help him make the 53 man roster. Lepsis is coming off IR so this is a good pick.

Kiyo

Ryan will bring much needed depth to the O-Line and with his experience as a starter at Lt should help him make the 53 man roster. Lepsis is coming off IR so this is a good pick.

Anonymous

You’ve read my mind. Exactly what I thought of this “TV drama”.

Anonymous

You’ve read my mind. Exactly what I thought of this “TV drama”.

mark

Now you know why the broncos are one of the worst drafting teams in the league. When they do gaet a good player it pure luck. They have tendencies to to overdraft a position of need as they have done again this year with their first 2 picks. And th donkeys traded away a 3rd round pick to move up 4 spots. what a waste. The dfensive line is a mess. They can not stop the run late in games as their defense wears down. The could have taken a big plug in the (branch) middle for years to come if they had not moved. In the 2nd round they could have selected a defensive end other than crowder. he is not that good. in 3 or 4 years he will not even be in the nfl. In fact there was a de from georgia that slid a little this year that is better than crowder. Harris from notre dame still would have been available at the end of the 3rd round had denver not wasted that pick in the trade to get moss. moss may turn out to be ok. we still could have got him at 21, in the 2nd round we should have drafted a dt or safety. The safety from oregon was availabele in the 2nd and then denver could have got at least a solid backup, if not a clog in the middle with tank tyler. but having branch alongside warren wiould have been an awsome pair of tackles. Actually the is still a very good dt available if a team is willing to take a risk. A possible first round talen that may go undrafted due to offield issues. Now I have never been a fan of players with problems but denver has a great locker room environtment and may be able to turn him around.

mark

Now you know why the broncos are one of the worst drafting teams in the league. When they do gaet a good player it pure luck. They have tendencies to to overdraft a position of need as they have done again this year with their first 2 picks. And th donkeys traded away a 3rd round pick to move up 4 spots. what a waste. The dfensive line is a mess. They can not stop the run late in games as their defense wears down. The could have taken a big plug in the (branch) middle for years to come if they had not moved. In the 2nd round they could have selected a defensive end other than crowder. he is not that good. in 3 or 4 years he will not even be in the nfl. In fact there was a de from georgia that slid a little this year that is better than crowder. Harris from notre dame still would have been available at the end of the 3rd round had denver not wasted that pick in the trade to get moss. moss may turn out to be ok. we still could have got him at 21, in the 2nd round we should have drafted a dt or safety. The safety from oregon was availabele in the 2nd and then denver could have got at least a solid backup, if not a clog in the middle with tank tyler. but having branch alongside warren wiould have been an awsome pair of tackles. Actually the is still a very good dt available if a team is willing to take a risk. A possible first round talen that may go undrafted due to offield issues. Now I have never been a fan of players with problems but denver has a great locker room environtment and may be able to turn him around.

Darin

I hosted Notre Dame football pre and post game shows during Ryan Harris’ 4 years in South Bend.

I believe he is a nice fit for our zone blocking scheme. He is not the type of OT that will knock a DL on their back often. But I think his mobility he fits well in our scheme.

Ryan is also a super person whose feet are firmly on the ground. Very intelligent and will pick up the system quickly.

Also I am glad we took Crowder over Abiamiri, Victor never dominated, except against Stanford in his career.

Darin

I hosted Notre Dame football pre and post game shows during Ryan Harris’ 4 years in South Bend.

I believe he is a nice fit for our zone blocking scheme. He is not the type of OT that will knock a DL on their back often. But I think his mobility he fits well in our scheme.

Ryan is also a super person whose feet are firmly on the ground. Very intelligent and will pick up the system quickly.

Also I am glad we took Crowder over Abiamiri, Victor never dominated, except against Stanford in his career.

todd marlin

I believe there are some S, LB and WR still available via FA. Isn’t Kiel still out there from San Diego ?

todd marlin

I believe there are some S, LB and WR still available via FA. Isn’t Kiel still out there from San Diego ?

dm

You guys are forgetting last years late rounders which include Chris Kuper who Mike mentioned could possibly fill in a spot on the line. Eslinger is also playing over in Europe right now at the center position. It’s the safety position I feel they should’ve addressed earlier because Ferguson and Lynch are mad old, but perhaps they have some guy in the late rounds they’re thinking of. Hey it is possible to find gold in the later rounds anyway…Terrell Davis and last year, Marques Colston. As for back up RB, not really as big a need this year.

dm

You guys are forgetting last years late rounders which include Chris Kuper who Mike mentioned could possibly fill in a spot on the line. Eslinger is also playing over in Europe right now at the center position. It’s the safety position I feel they should’ve addressed earlier because Ferguson and Lynch are mad old, but perhaps they have some guy in the late rounds they’re thinking of. Hey it is possible to find gold in the later rounds anyway…Terrell Davis and last year, Marques Colston. As for back up RB, not really as big a need this year.

Bronco Andy

It is quite interesting to read all the comments out there that say the Broncos are the worst team at drafting.

If you think the Broncos are bad… what about Chicago? Arizona, Detroit and other teams like that. Those teams consistently have HIGH picks and they still seem to blow them.

Looking at the position the Broncos have drafted in over the last 20 years, we have consistently had poor draft pick slots. So I would overall say that the Broncos are doing adequate.

I wish I could find the article again, but it was a good discussion by a ‘draft guru’ that said… in the end there is no 100% guaranteed pick. Yes, the early picks (less than 10) have a better chance of success, but nothing is guaranteed. So lets look at what the Bronocs drafted this season… 3 DL and an OL. The other positions on the team seemed to be adequate (Saftey would of been my choice for a pick). But what was the real overall weakness on the Broncos.

#1 DL
#2 OL (pass protection)

The DL needed help, so they once again flooded the draft with DL to TRY to get at least one hit or maybe two out of the draft.

If they would of only done one pick, they may or may not of hit the jackpot.

The OL, while a very good RUN BLOCKING OL. Does not fair as well when in Pass Blocking. So additional investment in OL, which takes a while to develop is a must in any draft.

It is actually my opinion, that the OL is the most important part of any team. If you do not have an OL, you cannot put points on the board and you lose.

So if their 3rd round OT selection works out to be a solid draft pick, then good for the Broncos. It is worth its weight in gold.

Remember a Zimmerman does not come around very often. I will take what I can get.

Bronco Andy

It is quite interesting to read all the comments out there that say the Broncos are the worst team at drafting.

If you think the Broncos are bad… what about Chicago? Arizona, Detroit and other teams like that. Those teams consistently have HIGH picks and they still seem to blow them.

Looking at the position the Broncos have drafted in over the last 20 years, we have consistently had poor draft pick slots. So I would overall say that the Broncos are doing adequate.

I wish I could find the article again, but it was a good discussion by a ‘draft guru’ that said… in the end there is no 100% guaranteed pick. Yes, the early picks (less than 10) have a better chance of success, but nothing is guaranteed. So lets look at what the Bronocs drafted this season… 3 DL and an OL. The other positions on the team seemed to be adequate (Saftey would of been my choice for a pick). But what was the real overall weakness on the Broncos.

#1 DL
#2 OL (pass protection)

The DL needed help, so they once again flooded the draft with DL to TRY to get at least one hit or maybe two out of the draft.

If they would of only done one pick, they may or may not of hit the jackpot.

The OL, while a very good RUN BLOCKING OL. Does not fair as well when in Pass Blocking. So additional investment in OL, which takes a while to develop is a must in any draft.

It is actually my opinion, that the OL is the most important part of any team. If you do not have an OL, you cannot put points on the board and you lose.

So if their 3rd round OT selection works out to be a solid draft pick, then good for the Broncos. It is worth its weight in gold.

Remember a Zimmerman does not come around very often. I will take what I can get.

Patrick

Congratulations Denver! You have selected not only a great future NFL contributor, but also someone who in the years to come will represent the Denver community well. Ryan’s work ethic, along with Denver’s great coaching staff, will contribute to him being a potential All-Pro for years to come. I have known Ryan since we were kids and I personally promise you all that you will not be disappointed with this pick.

Patrick

Congratulations Denver! You have selected not only a great future NFL contributor, but also someone who in the years to come will represent the Denver community well. Ryan’s work ethic, along with Denver’s great coaching staff, will contribute to him being a potential All-Pro for years to come. I have known Ryan since we were kids and I personally promise you all that you will not be disappointed with this pick.

Jack

Now we need to go after Ricky Williams, assuming he gets reinstated.

Jack

Now we need to go after Ricky Williams, assuming he gets reinstated.

South Florida Broncos

Don’t get your hopes up on this guy even making the team. He was responsible for many blown plays and had gotten Brady Quinn flattened many times on the field!

South Florida Broncos

Don’t get your hopes up on this guy even making the team. He was responsible for many blown plays and had gotten Brady Quinn flattened many times on the field!

3+6+7=4??

Is anyone else seriously concerned (like I am) that Harris only benched 225 lbs 22 times at the combine…..and J. Moss only 16!!!????

A good bench press doesn’t directly translate to success in the NFL, but both of these guys are in the bottom 20% at their position. Lots of work to do in the weight room fellas!!!

3+6+7=4??

Is anyone else seriously concerned (like I am) that Harris only benched 225 lbs 22 times at the combine…..and J. Moss only 16!!!????

A good bench press doesn’t directly translate to success in the NFL, but both of these guys are in the bottom 20% at their position. Lots of work to do in the weight room fellas!!!

Mike Klis has been with The Denver Post since 1998, after working 13 years with the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Major League Baseball was Klis' initial passion. He started covering the Colorado Rockies after Coors Field was approved for construction in August 1990.

Nicki Jhabvala is the Sports Digital News Editor for The Denver Post. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor, and she was most recently the overnight home page editor at the New York Times. She has reported regularly on the Broncos since joining the staff.

A published author and award-winning journalist, Benjamin Hochman is a sports columnist for The Denver Post. He previously worked on the staff of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, winners of two Pulitzer Prizes for their Hurricane Katrina coverage.